Cliches

In learning to write I was told to avoid clichés. It was implied that one should also avoid thinking in clichés. This was akin to avoid thinking in generalities. Well, I wonder about these things. If our clichés are simply trite aphorisms that have been given no thought—so called throw-away phrases—then I might agree. But isn’t it likely that there is some or a lot of truth behind some of the things that become cliché? And if so, could not some of them be quite valuable in our mental repertoire?

I would suppose that the library has books on clichés, catalogues of them perhaps or a history of their derivations. I have thought of looking up such a book but every time I get into a library now I get distracted by the many interesting titles that catch my eye and consequently go off on another tangent.

But the point is, what is on the default screen of our mind? Could our non-critical mind be driven by what has over the years become cliché to it? Could these random but now entrenched thoughts not be the daily fare or fuel or nutritional ingredients of our semi-active thought processes? If so, it would seem that we should intentionally, daily, feed our minds with thoughts that are inspirational, growth stimulating and promoting, and healthy. Conversely, we should avoid anything negative or degrading or that could become habitual and thus play on our mind’s screensaver.

So, what are the thoughts and intents of our minds and hearts? If they are positive, shouldn’t they become even cliché?